Services for Raymond L. (Ray) Norton, 72, Indianapolis, will be at 10 AM Wednesday February 10th at First Baptist Churchp on Tuesday of Greenwood, 99 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana. Calling will be from 4pm – 8pm on Tuesday February 9th at Wilson St Peirre Greenwood Chapel 481 West Main Street, Greenwood, Indiana. He passed peacefully on February 3rd, in Sarasota, Florida. He leaves behind loving wife, Berniece L. Norton of 53 years, Daughter Deborah L. Byrd (Jeff) and Grandson Jacob D. Byrd.
Raymond was born in Indianapolis, IN,. on may 26th, 1943 and is preceded in death by parents Robert and Betty Norton. He was raised by Alta Robinson, who passed away in 1978, in the Fountain Square District.
In 1960 he represented Wood High School at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City as one of only 8 students from Indianapolis. Ray was salutatorian of his 1961 graduating class at Wood High School and received his AAS and BS at Purdue University, and his MBA from Butler University.
Ray served in the US Army from 1966-1968, reaching the rank of Specialist 5th class. He served in Vietnam from April 1967- April 1968 with the 46th Engineering Battalion, receiving a partial disability of exposure to Agent Orange, and was the Army Cpommendation Medal.
He was employed with Chrysler Corporation, Koorsen Fire and Security, and retired from PepsiCo (Quaker Oats/Gatorade) His last 8 years of employement were spent outside the US for Gatorade, building and expanding various international facilities. Ray worked and/or visited approximately 40-countries, and held the position of Senior Manager, Engineering and HSE (Health, Safety and Environmental), Worldwide Beverages.
Ray enjoyed playing sports in high school, and his adult years he loved traviling, scuba diving, skydiving, and watching Indycar and NASCAR races. Ray served as Choir Parent President for his daughter’s Center Grove High School Choir Orginazation. Above all, he was a true Purdue fan and never missed watching any football or basketball game, Boiler Up !
Raymond was most at home with family and freinds in Siesta Key, Florida where he and his wife held a second residence.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association (www.ecaware.org) or The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation (www.slgi.org)
